Ponich showed nice improvement in 2010-11, turning himself into a competent shut-down defender, before tearing the ACL in his left knee in January. He posted a plus-23 for the Portland Winterhawks (Western Hockey League) in 45 games, after being a minus-62 in the three seasons prior. Ponich, who is skating with the Blues' prospects at the Traverse City tournament this offseason, is expected to leap to the AHL (Peoria). There isn't much offensively we expect from him, but Ponich is making strides defensively.

2010-11

Ponich, 19, is a mountain on skates and uses his mass well on the blue line. He's not a great skater or stick-handler, but the Blues are hoping at 19-years-old, he can improve his game in the coming years.